Sheriff: Upstate mom shot children multiple times

A Pickens County woman has been charged with murdering her two children and trying to kill her husband. Investigators said Wednesday the children were shot multiple times.

Suzanna Simpson is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of her children, Carly, 7, and Sawyer, 5, and the attempted murder of her husband, Michael.

An emergency room nurse at Greenville Memorial Hospital said that Suzanna Simpson confessed to her, saying, "I shot my kids and then my husband and tried to shoot myself several times but I couldn't do it."

Pickens County Sheriff's Office spokesman Creed Hashe said shooting happened at the family's home on Cherokee Trail in the Dacusville community.

He said that deputies first responded to a wreck on Cherokee Trail just after 6 a.m. Tuesday. Hashe said a pickup truck was off the side of the road with Susanna Simpson in it. After deputies checked the registration on the truck, they went to the listed address, and that's when the victims were found.

The children were found dead in the home. Michael Simpson has life-threatening injuries, according to investigators.

Investigators said autopsies found Carly and Sawyer Simpson died from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators said no more information regarding the children's wounds will be released until their mother's trial.

There was no immediate word on the extent of Susanna Simpson's injuries, apparently suffered in the crash.

Friends and neighbors said the couple was hard-working and there were no obvious signs of trouble.

Pickens County Sheriff Rick Clark said there was no history of violence at the home.

"There are many unanswered questions in this case today. However, some of the facts of this case will not be revealed until we reach the courtroom," Clark said.

John Eby, with Pickens County Schools, said Sawyer was kindergartner and Carly was in first grade.

Eby said Suzanna Simpson was a very active parent.

"If you were to ask anybody at the school about her yesterday they would have said she is a role model parent. That's another reason why this is such a shock," said Eby.

School District Statement

"School district staff and students are mourning the loss of Carly and Sawyer Simpson, who died Tuesday morning. Both children were students at Dacusville Elementary School.

"DES principal, Dr. Michael Fleming said, 'Dacusville Elementary is deeply saddened by the loss of two of our children, Carly and Sawyer Simpson. Both students were very special to the faculty, staff, and children of our school. Carly had a beautiful smile that brightened everyone's day. Sawyer's excitement for learning was contagious. Our heartfelt condolences go to the family.'

Berkeley County School District officials say a social media post about someone wanting do harm at a school with an SHS abbreviation originated in another state and is not directed at any school in the county.

Berkeley County School District officials say a social media post about someone wanting do harm at a school with an SHS abbreviation originated in another state and is not directed at any school in the county.